Noise Ordinances in National City, CA (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for National City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
National City's Noise Control Ordinance runs its night period from ten p.m. to seven a.m. In those hours, radios, instruments and similar devices cannot exceed the Table III and Table IV limits, and power saws, sanders, drills, grinders and lawn or garden tools cannot create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial property line.
National City Nighttime Quiet Hours, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code §§ 12.10.060 and 12.10.300
It is unlawful to operate, play or permit the operation or playing of any radio, television set, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, or similar device which produces or reproduces sound: A.Between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. at a level that exceeds the interior noise limits of Table IV of Chapter 12.08 across the interior wall or boundary separating attached multifamily dwelling unit...
Construction Hours
In National City, construction, drilling, repair, alteration and demolition equipment cannot be run between weekday hours of seven p.m. and seven a.m., or at any time on weekends or holidays, in a way that violates the Section 12.06.020 limits across a residential or commercial property line. Utility emergency work and fire and life safety work are excluded.
National City Construction Hours and Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 12.10.160
A.Except as provided in Section 12.10.160 B, it is unlawful to operate or to allow or cause the operation of any tools or equipment used in construction, drilling, repair, alteration, or demolition work between weekday hours of seven p.m. and seven a.m., or at any time on weekends or holidays, such that the sound therefrom creates a noise across a residential or commercial real property line th...
Barking Dogs
In National City, a dog violates § 8.16.050 by barking for more than three minutes between ten pm and seven am, or for more than ten consecutive minutes or a total of fifteen minutes within any sixty minute period at other times. A first violation is an infraction and later violations are misdemeanors. Complaints require a written declaration under penalty of perjury.
National City Barking Dog Ordinance: Three Minutes at Night
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 8.16.050
A.It is unlawful for any person to allow any dog to howl, bark or make other sounds characteristic of that species to create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial real property line or within a noise sensitive zone between the hours of ten pm and seven am daily for more than three minutes, or at other times for more than ten consecutive minutes or for more than a total of fifte...
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In National City, using sound amplifying equipment outdoors in a residential or commercial zone is unlawful between nine p.m. and eight a.m., and at any other time if it violates the Section 12.06.020 noise limits. Every amplifier must have an operable volume limiting control. Sound trucks need a separate police-certified license under Chapter 12.14.
National City Loudspeaker and Amplified Sound Rules
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 12.10.080
A.Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 12.14 for sound trucks, it is unlawful to use or operate outdoors for any purpose any sound amplifying equipment, including a loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, or similar device, between the hours of nine p.m. and eight a.m. outdoors in a residential or commercial zone; and at any other time so as to violate the noise level provisions of Section 12.06.02...
Decibel Limits
National City's Noise Control Ordinance sets exterior limits by receiving land use: 45 dBA at night and 55 dBA by day at homes in buildings of fewer than 9 units, up to 80 dBA on heavy industry west of I-5. The limits apply at or beyond the property boundary of the sound's source, and music or speech cuts the limit by five dB.
National City Noise Limits in Decibels by Land Use
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code § 12.06.020 and Table III
D.No person shall operate or cause to be operated any source of sound at any location within the city' or allow the creation of any noise on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person, which causes the noise level to exceed the environmental noise level or nuisance noise level, or both, of the applicable limits given in Table Ill of this chapter at any point on or b...
Vehicle Noise
In National City, motorized off-road vehicles operated off a public right-of-way or on private property cannot emit sound that violates the Section 12.06.020 limits, whether or not they are licensed and registered. Automotive noise from properly equipped vehicles on public rights of way is exempt from those limits and left to the California Vehicle Code.
National City Off-Road Vehicle and Vehicle Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsNational City Municipal Code §§ 12.10.260 and 12.12.060(E)
It is unlawful to operate or cause to be operated any motorized off-road vehicle off a public right-of-way or on private property in such a manner that the sound levels emitted therefrom violate the provisions of Section 12.06.020. This section shall apply to all motorized vehicles, whether or not duly licensed and registered or identified, including, but not limited to, commercial or noncommer...
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